KOHIMA, Aug 10: The Nagaland Cabinet reviewed issues concerning oil exploration along the Assam-Nagaland border, landowners’ rights, the proposed Foothill Road and the state’s flood and landslide situation at a meeting in Wokha on August 6.
Minister Temjen Imna Along said the Cabinet had taken several key decisions during the meeting. On oil exploration, he said the government would address the concerns and rights of landowners and other affected stakeholders.
Along said stakeholders in border areas affected by exploration activities would have to be taken into consideration. His remarks came amid demands from civil society organisations for consultations with affected villages before exploration began.
The Centre, Assam and Nagaland had signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding in New Delhi on June 11 to facilitate mineral oil operations, including the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, along the Assam-Nagaland border.
The Cabinet also discussed the proposed Foothill Road, with Along saying the state had held discussions with the Centre and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on the project. He said discussions had continued over proposed road widths of 30 metres, 18 metres and 12 metres, and described the project as important for Nagaland’s economic development.
The meeting also reviewed the impact of floods and landslides across the state. Along said the government had prioritised helping affected people return to normal life.
He said areas including Mon, Tuli and parts of Tuensang had suffered landslides and house collapses, with casualties reported. The adverse weather had also disrupted education in several areas, prompting the government to work towards restoring normalcy and limiting disruption to academic sessions.
Along said the government needed greater preparedness and mitigation measures to reduce the impact of similar natural disasters in the future.
